Saturday, April 17, 2010

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., April 12, 2010 – Highlighting the many ways that Walt Disney World Resort makes dreams come true within and beyond its borders, the newly released 2009 Community Report showcases Disney’s ongoing and active involvement in Central Florida - a legacy set forth many decades ago by Walt Disney himself.

“Walt Disney World Resort and its Cast Members work daily to help realize the dreams of our community,” said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “We actively seek ways to conduct our business in the most responsible way.”

As the largest single private employment site in the United States, Walt Disney World Resort and its more than 58,000 Cast Members play a vital role in Central Florida. The 2009 Community Report details their commitment with a focus on Disney’s accomplishments related to the environment, workplace and community, with a special emphasis on the well-being of children and families.

In 2009, Walt Disney World Resort contributed more than $28.5 million to community efforts, granted nearly 7,000 wish trips to children facing life-threatening medical conditions and generated approximately $586 million in taxes to Central Florida governments. Other highlights include:

Disney Cast Members Reach Record Level of Volunteerism

In 2009, Disney VoluntEARS gave a record 251,000 hours toward improving the lives of Central Floridians, from donating more than 650,000 school supplies to local students through A Gift For Teaching and S.T.A.R.S. to serving 9,000 meals at Coalition for the Homeless. In addition, 130 Disney Cast Members provided support to local non-profits by serving on their boards.

The momentum continued earlier this year through “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.,” which inspired one million people to give back to their communities through volunteer service. More than 6,500 Central Floridians joined in 303 local “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.” projects, ranging from community beautification events to sorting food for the hungry. “This was a starting point for many people,” said Chris Allen, Executive Director of HandsOn Orlando, the agency that oversaw many of the efforts. “We’ve found that if first-time volunteers have a great experience, they realize their potential and want to do more. Many will go on to volunteer again and again.”

Eco-Friendly Actions Make Big Impact

In 2009, The Walt Disney Company announced environmental goals to help manage and minimize its overall impact on the environment and inspire others to action. At Walt Disney World Resort, waste management and energy conservation initiatives are yielding impressive results. More than 92,000 tons of waste was diverted from landfills in 2009 through recycling efforts, enough to fill Spaceship Earth at Epcot more than seven times. Additionally, Walt Disney World Resort has reduced energy consumption by more than 5% since 2006, enough to power 4,100 Central Florida homes for a year.

Central Florida Charities “Shine On” With Disney Grants

Celebrating those who work tirelessly to build better futures for Central Florida’s children, Walt Disney World Resort gave a total of $700,000 in grants to 34 non-profit organizations via prize patrols that blanketed the region in May 2009. Disney’s Helping Kids Shine Grants recognize charities that commit their time and talent to making a difference in the lives of Central Florida’s children through programs that focus on connecting with adults, constructive use of free time, character development and compassion. Top recipients in 2009 were Coalition for the Homeless and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida.

“Walt Disney World Resort is always looking for ways to invest in the children of Central Florida and demonstrate our commitment to their healthy development,” says Shannon McAleavey, senior vice president of Public Affairs for Walt Disney World Resort. “We look to collaborate with organizations that will help us make a difference in children’s lives through long-term, sustainable efforts. Ultimately, this creates a stronger community for us all.”

More than 170 local charities applied for 2010 Disney Helping Kids Shine Grants. Applicants will discover if they will be Disney Grants recipients this May, when prize patrols will yet again descend across Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Polk and Lake Counties to award funding to those selected. Learn more about Disney’s charitable contributions, VoluntEAR efforts in the community, the company’s environmental stewardship and its initiatives that benefit and enhance the quality of life for Cast Members by reading the 2009 Community Report at www.wdwpublicaffairs.com/Resources/pdf/WDW_v13.pdf.

Before auditioning, Carroll studied Jiminy's signature song, "When You Wish Upon a Star," sung by Cliff Edwards, who died in 1971. The Canadian-born Carroll realized that he needed to adopt a Midwestern accent.

His agent did "back flips" when Carroll got the part, he told the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News in 2008. "He knew the role was a cottage industry. . . . There's something practically every month -- a singalong film, computer game, recording as spokesman for Disney on Ice, a show at Disneyland or Disney World."

No one else has voiced a Disney character for as long as Carroll did, said Rick Dempsey, senior vice president of Disney's Character Voices division.

"He totally was Jiminy Cricket," Dempsey said. "He really took what the character was into his own heart and in a sense lived that in his own life. He also was one of the best Jack Benny impersonators on the planet."

When a crew member on a 1982 film set dropped a prop that ruined a scene, Carroll broke the tension by bursting out with a trademark Benny line, "Oh, for heaven's sake, Rochester!" and "everybody laughed," he later recalled.

It led to him being cast in the one-man show, "A Small Eternity With Jack Benny," which opened in 1983 in Santa Monica.

After touring in that show for a year, he wrote his own tribute, "Jack Benny: Laughter in Bloom," and continued appearing as the comedian, who died in 1974, until late last year. He often toured six months a year.

Los Angeles magazine's reaction to the show in the 1990s was typical: "Before our eyes, he truly becomes the legendary comedian."

Laura Leff, president of the International Jack Benny Fan Club, told The Times: "Jack's humor is based so much around character, and Eddie was able to re-create that in a very authentic way. It was the next best thing to having Jack himself there."

Eddie Eleniak was born Sept. 5, 1933, in Edmonton, Canada, and acted in high school alongside another student, Robert Goulet.

A bout with polio was not that far behind him when Carroll came to Los Angeles in the mid-1950s with Goulet as part of an NBC talent program.

Soon after moving to the U.S., Carroll served in the Army. For two years, he wrote and produced shows for Armed Forces Radio and Television.

When his mother suggested he needed a simpler last name, he adopted "Carroll" for a favorite aunt.

In an acting class after the war, he met Jamie Farr, who would appear in the TV series " MASH." They formed a production company in the 1960s that developed a number of projects for networks and studios.

"We were like brothers, and we still are," Carroll said in 2005 in the Toledo (Ohio) Blade.

Carroll had appeared in more than 200 commercials, , and was a regular on the early 1970s variety program "The Don Knotts Show."

To convincingly portray Benny, Carroll taught himself to play violin and joked with a Times reporter in 1999: "Thank goodness Benny wasn't a great violinist or I'd be in trouble."

After walking onstage as Benny, he would put the violin down and drolly say, "Don't look so relieved; I play it later."

Actress Erika Eleniak of TV's "Baywatch" is his niece.

For almost 37 years, he lived in Encino with Carolyn, whom he married in 1963.

He is also survived by his children, Tia Monti and Leland Carroll; and two brothers, Bob Elen and Dale Eleniak, all of Los Angeles.

French-trained Chef Patrick Albert, executive chef for Remy, oversees an all-star culinary team that will provide guests with a superb experience and epicurean excellence each day aboard the ship.

“Remy, a first-of-its-kind onboard experience, takes Disney Cruise Line dining to new heights,” said Ozer Balli, vice president, Disney Cruise Line Hotel Operations. “The extraordinary success of Palo on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder encouraged us to create this elegant, upscale and even more intimate dining experience for the Disney Dream.”

Dinner at Remy is a lavish and leisurely affair, starting with a signature chilled Champagne cocktail made tableside, followed by eight to nine small courses complemented by a stellar wine list. Lallement’s cuisine is simple and stylish, such as roasted lobster with cream, and fresh asparagus with black truffles and vin jaune. It earns l’Assiette Champenoise two stars (of a possible three) from Michelin, making the experience “excellent cooking and worth a detour.” Hunnel’s innovative dishes offer small tastes of everything from wild caviar to Kobe beef and Japanese Wagyu strip loin. His cuisine earns Victoria & Albert’s the coveted AAA Five Diamonds, a rating accorded a mere 0.19 percent of restaurants in North America and the Caribbean.

Polished touches at Remy include a tableside trolley for serving international cheeses, decanting stations for wines, and post-prandial coffee service including French press and grand crème.

With a subtle nod to the hit Disney•Pixar film “Ratatouille” and its diminutive French star Remy, the softly lit main dining room with seating for 80 is designed in Art Nouveau style with a palate of soft greens, deep reds and rich gold. The restaurant’s classic French design features graceful sinuous lines on chair backs, etched in glass and in wall treatments, and Nouveau-style floral and leaf design in the carpet and banquettes, and warm lighting. The famous Remy character is subtly and artfully integrated into the design.

Tables are elegantly set with Frette linens, Riedel glassware, Christofle silverware and china made exclusively for Remy, with gracious accents such as purse stools for women’s handbags. The attentive serving staff is part of the sophisticated story, dressed in long white aprons, black jackets or burgundy vests, and bow ties. “From the moment our guests walk through the door, they are seamlessly transported to a fine French dining experience,” said Balli.

The private Chef’s Table dining room seats 16 and offers a glimpse into the kitchen. The room is furnished with rich “Ratatouille”-inspired décor – bold red carpet, chairs and drapes with touches of gold, opulent chandeliers, and scenes of Paris on the walls. The private Chef’s Table dining room has its own entrance to the kitchen to allow the chefs easy access, and offers a special multi-course menu.

A glass-walled wine room with marble flooring has seating for up to 16 guests amid more than 900 bottles of wine including a fine rare selection of Old World wines balanced with a solid selection of New World wines. Once dinner is booked and guests are on board, they are invited to meet with a sommelier in Remy’s wine room to taste and pre-select their wines for the evening.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com.

It has been part of the park experience over the years- The Frontierland Hoedown Happening is the latest installmentand you can be part of the show!
The action begins without notice at Walt Disney World, when a lone operator from Big Thunder Mountain walks into the street and starts waving their hat. Soon other residents of Frontierland join in, including the Country Bears and other friends.
When the last song ends, the Frontierland performers thank everyone for joining in and go back to their business — until a Frontierland Hoedown Happening happens again. Have you experienced it yet?

Price: $70 per person, plus tax, gratuity included. You can book online and check the latest information at disneyland.com/foodandwine.

**Guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend; valid ID required. Advance reservations required. Space is limited. Admission to Disney’s California Adventure park is required for events held within the Park and is not included in the event price.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- A Disney bus driver is now facing charges crashing into an SUV.

Officials said the crash was not as severe as Thursday’s deadly Disney crash that killed a 9-year-old boy.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the latest accident happened late Saturday morning, when the bus rear-ended an Ohio man’s SUV at World Drive and Buena Vista Drive, near the entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The SUV was then pushed into a Disney-owned van.
Troopers said the impact in Saturday’s crash was minor, but the bus driver, identified as Fredrick Cassens, 80, of Auburndale, needed some medical assistance.
Officials said Cassens did not have to go to the hospital.
Cassens has been charged with careless driving.
The other drivers were identified as Mark Sigman, 47, of Ohio, in the SUV; and Brianna Berry, 20, of Texas, driving the van.
The latest bus accident at Walt Disney World comes just two days after Chase Brubaker, 9, died after he was run over by a bus Thursday while riding his bicycle at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
Troopers said Chase’s bike swerved into the road and hit the bus, but the boy’s parents said Friday that Disney was to blame for the death of their son.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Disneyland Paris is investigating after two park employees committed suicide in the past six weeks, under working conditions which a trade union described as "humiliating".

A Eurodisney chef hanged himself at his home near Paris last Friday, on the same day he was due to return to work after a period of sick leave. According to the Disneyland branch of the trade union federation, Force Ouvrière, the worker, in his 40s, had told colleagues he wanted to leave his job because he was struggling with demands to "increase figures with fewer resources".

Disneyland Paris directors have denied the suicide was work-related and said that it should not be made "a symbol of something it isn't." It added that the chef had been "highly appreciated by his managers" and well-integrated with fellow employees.

The company has organised a meeting with the chef's fellow employees to discuss the suicide and its possible causes.

Trade union representative, Mary Lyn Lesueur, acknowledged the man's personal problems contributed to his death but insisted that, "it's certain that there is a real management problem at Disney".

The worker was not the first Disneyland chef to commit suicide in recent weeks. On 21 February a 30-year-old chef de partie (line cook) from the park threw himself in front of a train after working in conditions which a trade union spokesman called "humiliating".

Only the day before, a 22-year-old employee had threatened to commit suicide within the park itself. Disneyland directors immediately voted to open an investigation to "identify possible factors of stress or harassment" which could have led to the first suicide.

Stress-related suicides became a much-discussed issue in France last year after it was revealed that France Télécom had been hit by a spate of suicides. Trade union leaders blamed job cuts and a brutal management culture at the company, where at least 44 members of staff have taken their own lives since 2008.

The French government approved Eurodisney's approach to work-related stress just days before the first suicide.

TOKYO (NQN)--Oriental Land Co. (4661) said Thursday the number of visitors to its Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea theme parks declined 5.2% on the year to 25.81 million in fiscal 2009.
The fall was attributed to a deadly flu outbreak and the fact that visitor numbers were bumped up in fiscal 2008 because that year marked the 25th anniversary of Tokyo Disney Resort.
However, the figure exceeded the target set at the outset of the year by 4 million people and is the second-largest total ever. Visitor numbers have been on a moderate uptrend.